2022 Women of Wonder Luncheon Recognizes Three Outstanding Community Recipients

OCEAN CITY — In recognition for their outstanding contributions and for helping to serve others in the community, the Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation and the Cape May County Women’s Commission honored Lenora Boninfante Kodytek, Bernadette Givens and Joyce Gould at the 2022 Women of Wonder Luncheon on Thursday, November 3 at The Flanders Hotel in Ocean City.

“Atlantic Cape Community College and the Foundation are very proud and honored to share this special day with all of you. Every year I am filled with so much pride to see the women who are being honored and nominated,” said Dr. Barbara Gaba, President, Atlantic Cape Community College. “Thank you to the Cape May County Women’s Commission for their unwavering support and partnership for creating more opportunities through scholarships. Thank you to our sponsors for your support.”

This year’s Women of Wonder event raised $12,100 towards providing scholarships for young Atlantic Cape female students who wish to attend college and who otherwise may have been unable to afford to do so. Begun in 2011, Women of Wonder not only recognizes local women for their unselfish and heroic work, it also provides young women with the opportunity to realize their educational dreams and potentially become future leaders in their respective communities.

“There are so many heroes and these awards are a reflection of the beautiful loving folk who live in our community,” said Dr. Patricia Gentile, Chair, Cape May County Women’s Commission. “It is an honor to recognize them and add them to a growing list of unsung heroes who have lived their lives for the good of others.”

Boninfante Kodytek, who resides in Upper Township, is currently the County Program Assistant in Public Relations at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County. She takes pride in having dedicated her life to improving the quality of life for women, children and those with special needs.

“When I look around, this is the wonder, all of you in this room. This is what makes Cape May County a special place to live. It is a community that lifts everybody up,” Boninfante Kodytek said. “I want to thank the Atlantic Cape Foundation, Cape May County Commissioner Marie Hayes and the Women’s Commission for this honor that I am humbled to share with Joyce and Bernadette.”

Gould, who resides in Wildwood Crest, is the former Mayor and Commissioner of Wildwood Crest and a long-standing member on many boards throughout Cape May County.

“All of you are interesting women and most of you here today are motel owners, administrators, realtors and have candy shops,” Gould said. “There is nothing that stops women from what they want to do. You just have to push and push and push until it hurts.”

Givens, who resides in Cape May, is the owner of Cape Island Coastal Cleaning Service and a former Executive Director of the Cape May Jazz Festival and the Center for the Performing Arts. Humbled with her honor, Givens read from the late Maya Angelou’s poem “When Great Trees Fall,” which, according to Givens, “inspired me to never take no for an answer.”

A two-time cancer survivor, Givens believes (thanks to a quote from singer/songwriter Bob Dylan) that if you are going to serve somebody, why not serve others? Givens concluded her remarks by stating, “this (honor) will always remain a complete inspiration to me and I will continue to go on and do great things.”

Atlantic Cape sophomore and Upper Township resident Jade Phelps was recognized as the 2022 Women of Wonder Scholarship Recipient.  “Being recognized with this award is very important to me,” Phelps said. “It is helping me finish school at Atlantic Cape and helping me to continue my education.”

Phelps is currently majoring in Secondary Education/Mathematics and is anticipating graduating from Atlantic Cape in May 2023. She envisions teaching high school geometry or algebra after she graduates from a four-year college.

For more information, visit the Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation at atlanticcape.edu/foundation and the Cape May County Women’s Commission at capemaycountynj.gov/Womens-Commission.

About Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation

Atlantic Cape established the Foundation in 1978 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity to build a broad base of financial support for its programs and services. Foundation members are drawn from local industry and small businesses and represent a broad cross-section of active leaders in the community. The Foundation has raised more than $5 million for scholarships, Foundation operations and to enhance academic programs and the campus environment. Annually, the Foundation provides nearly $600,000 for institutional scholarships, grants and emergency help.

About the Cape May County Women’s Commission

The Cape May County Women’s Commission is dedicated to providing a forum to increase the participation of county women and consulting with other groups and/or government agencies in order to propose programs that foster equality, achievement, and justice. The Commission is passionate about studying the needs, problems, capabilities, interests, and concerns of Cape May County women and girls.